Autoimmune diseases are diseases in which your immune system attacks your healthy tissues rather than foreign and unhealthy tissues. Autoimmune diseases do not have a direct cause or link. There is no direct genetic link to autoimmune diseases either.
Although, it is seen that autoimmune diseases tend to “run in the family.” Women and African American’s are at higher risks for having an autoimmune disease. Knowing if you have an autoimmune disease can be tricky to diagnose.
Choosing to see a doctor is an important decision. There are ten signs that are typical of an autoimmune disease. If you have any of these symptoms it is best to contact your doctor to go over your medical history.
10 Signs
The first sign of an autoimmune disease is rapid weight loss. Sometimes with an autoimmune disease your body will rapidly lose weight with no diet or exercise. Rapid weight loss, though sometimes desirable, is not healthy.
On the contrary, rapid weight gain is also a sign of the disease. Rapid weight gain with no changes to ones daily life can be a sign of an autoimmune disease. The body should not rapidly gain or lose weight in a short amount of time.
Another sign is that one may have difficulty focusing on tasks. One may have problems completing tasks that were once easy to complete.
One might also experience hair loss that is out of the ordinary. Losing large amounts of hair can be a sign of an abnormal autoimmune response.
Another symptom may be dry eyes, or dry mouth. Dry mouth can sometimes be a side effect of certain medications. But unprompted by a medication it can be a sign of an autoimmune disease.
Blood clots are also a sign that one may have an autoimmune disease. Blood clots are an abnormal response.
Sometimes blood clots can form as a result of medications, but when unprompted it can be a sign of something more serious.
Also, if one is experiencing abnormal joint pain it could also be a sign. Joint pain can be a sign that the body is fighting itself in an abnormal manner.
Frequent rashes can also be the body triggering an autoimmune response. Rashes are a response to something foreign the body is trying to react to.
When unprompted it can be a sign on autoimmune disease. Also, numbness in the hands or feet can be a sign that the body is triggering an autoimmune response.
The numbness should not be in your hands or feet, and could be the result of something serious. Lastly, abdominal pain can be a sign of an autoimmune disease.
Abdominal pain is usually the result of something abnormal happening in your abdomen. It can mean that something serious is happening, and could be the body doing it to itself.
When To Seek Help
If you experience these symptoms and suspect you might have an autoimmune disease seek medical attention.
If you are experiencing these symptoms constantly or intermittently, try keeping a journal to track your symptoms and environmental facts during the time of the symptoms. This will help doctors determine if you have an autoimmune disease and how to treat it.
Reverse It
In order to reverse your autoimmune disease you must determine what is causing the autoimmune response. To do this one must seek medical attention.
The doctor will run a variety of tests to find the cause of your disease. The doctor will run a variety of blood tests, stool tests, and allergy tests.
The answer will most likely be found in these tests. If your body is having an autoimmune response it will show in your levels. Often times, the cause is a hidden food or environmental allergy.
One can start by eliminating common factors. For foods, grains, and dairy are often suspect. Try eliminating these foods and track your autoimmune responses before and after this elimination.
Another elimination will be environmental factors. Often times dust, pollen, and animals cause autoimmune responses.
Try removing dust, pollen, and animals from your environment as best as possible. If your symptoms subside then eventually through elimination you will reverse your disease.
Once the cause of your autoimmune disease is discovered you will be able to make lifestyle changes or medication to help reverse it.
Discovering the cause of the autoimmune disease may take time, but once it is found reversing it will be rewarding.
Through elimination of the allergen or trigger one will be able to reverse their autoimmune disease.
